Manderin Chinese Buffet Wow what a difference, not in a good way

[yababy1]

Went last night, first time in probably 5 yrs. Used to be a bit expensive but good food, always hot, a bit more upscale than others with good selections and options


Full stop!!!!!! Pork ribs, several varieties smelled funny so left on my plate, probably a third of the selection that used to be there, cold egg rolls, chewy fried rice, card board pizza etc etc etc

And $35.99 for this, WTF, never again, what has happened to their business model????

 

[black booty lover]

I really only used to go there when they had AYCE crab legs Fri-Sun. Once they stopped that, I stopped going.

 

[Mr Deeds]

I used to take my kids there when they were young for their birthdays I wouldn't set foot in the place now never liked it very much

 

[richaceg]

There are better EAYC restaurants. Specially in Markham.

 

[facetat]

A long time ago, Mandarin was mildly expensive and the food was average to tasty. According to my memory, anyway.

Now, it's quite expensive and the food quality is poor. And given that I no longer feel the need to stuff myself to get my money's worth, I think that the Mandarin represents possibly the worst restaurant value in the GTA.

 

[Kusa]

Buffets are no longer available at all locations, and the variety of food options has decreased...blame on inflation and those that take a minimum of 3 hours eating in!

 

[shack]

Buffets are no longer available at all locations, and the variety of food options has decreased...blame on inflation and those that take a minimum of 3 hours eating in!

 

[kherg007]

Thought this was going to be a duo or trio review of Asian ladies lol...

 

[explorerzip]

IMO Mandarin is not much better than those Chinese places you find in food courts like Shanghai 360, Bourbon Street Grill, etc. Why would you go there for pizza, french fries, bread, etc.? Say what you want about their food, but they've survived for almost 50 years and outlived other buffetr places like Tucker's Marketplace, etc.

I've been to a Chinese buffet place in Scarborough called Dragon Pearl, which has lobster tails or crab legs on the weekends and also Peking Duck. They limit you to 1 lobster tail for obvious reasons, but I think the crab legs are AYCE. The rest of the food is standard buffet food. Chinese people know to grab the expensive options first and leave out the fillers like rice, noodles, potatoes, broccolli, etc.

There are pigs out there that will hoard multiple plates of crab legs to their table and sometimes not eat them. I've seen that on cruise ship buffets many times.

 

[speakercontrols]

Went last night, first time in probably 5 yrs. Used to be a bit expensive but good food, always hot, a bit more upscale than others with good selections and options


Full stop!!!!!! Pork ribs, several varieties smelled funny so left on my plate, probably a third of the selection that used to be there, cold egg rolls, chewy fried rice, card board pizza etc etc etc

And $35.99 for this, WTF, never again, what has happened to their business model????

Huh, thought it was me. Went there for New Years, first time in >20 years. For me, still the same selection but most of the food was meh. Desserts were good, you can't mess up sugar. Many other restaurants more appealing to me.

 

[SexB]

I remember there being a prediction that buffet-style restaurants would be one of the casualties of the pandemic.

 

[xix]

There are better EAYC restaurants. Specially in Markham.

I obvious reasons, but I think the crab legs are AYCE. The rest of the food is standard buffet food. Chinese people know to grab the expensive options first and leave out the fillers

I am sorry I am not a Restaurant Connoisseur.

Okay I a got it
EAYC - eat all you can
AYCE - all you can eat

 

[stinkynuts]

I remember going to Mandarin for the first time many years ago. I was amazed by the huge selection and quality of food, for a reasonable price. Great service too. Sad to hear it's gone downhill.

 

[princekwekua]

Just note Monosodium Glutamate is added for flavour in most Chinese restaurants like Mandarin. Eating at these establishments frequently can be detrimental to health

 

[Beagle_]

Coming back from Wasaga to the city...I liked this location when they were doing crab legs.

Been a long time...hope it is still the same. Currently has a Google rating of 4.5 stars.

Address: 28 Fairview Rd, Barrie, ON L4N 4P3
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 11:30 a.m. Fri
Phone: (705) 727-1000

I really miss good Canadian Chinese food spots.

 

[Mr Bret]

Went last night, first time in probably 5 yrs. Used to be a bit expensive but good food, always hot, a bit more upscale than others with good selections and options


Full stop!!!!!! Pork ribs, several varieties smelled funny so left on my plate, probably a third of the selection that used to be there, cold egg rolls, chewy fried rice, card board pizza etc etc etc

And $35.99 for this, WTF, never again, what has happened to their business model????

Which location did you go to?
Like most chains, the quality isn't always consistent from one location to another.

 

[NotADcotor]

Chinese people don't fuck around when it comes to buffet

 

[y2kmark]

Went last night, first time in probably 5 yrs. Used to be a bit expensive but good food, always hot, a bit more upscale than others with good selections and options


Full stop!!!!!! Pork ribs, several varieties smelled funny so left on my plate, probably a third of the selection that used to be there, cold egg rolls, chewy fried rice, card board pizza etc etc etc

And $35.99 for this, WTF, never again, what has happened to their business model????

Is the buffet at Fallsview Casino still good? Know it's a little pricey, but the view...

 

[Primetime21]

Is the buffet at Fallsview Casino still good? Know it's a little pricey, but the view...

Fallsview Casino’s Grand Buffet in Niagara Falls to close - Hamilton | Globalnews.ca

A staple at Niagara Fallsview Casino since 2004, The Grand Buffet will close on the weekend after failed attempts to contain costs.

globalnews.ca

 

[Ceiling Cat]

I remember going to Mandarin for the first time many years ago. I was amazed by the huge selection and quality of food, for a reasonable price. Great service too. Sad to hear it's gone downhill.

The world has changed. Restaurants can not get the crowds in like they use to, half of all fast food places are expected to close in the next three years. Years ago I went to a buffet restaurant in a shopping center when all the stores were closed at 8:00PM and every parking spot was full for that one buffet. Things are not like that now.

Remember when your grand parents would talk about the good old days.................in 10-15 years from you you will be telling the young whipper snappers about the good old days of 2010-1015.